Rachel M. Self

Attorney Profile
Top Rated Immigration Attorney in Boston, MA
Boston, MA 02108
Selected To Rising Stars: 2009 - 2017
- Immigration: Consumer (60%),
- Criminal Defense (40%)
- English,
- Spanish
Rachel M. Self is the founder of her own firm located in Boston, Massachusetts, and she provides criminal defense and immigration law representation to clients throughout the area. In her immigration practice, she assists individuals in a variety of matters, including people who are seeking asylum as well as those who are facing deportation. Ms. Self also helps people who are attempting to qualify for permanent resident visas, including family-based petitions, and she provides representation to those who are seeking to become naturalized citizens. Her fluency in Spanish is a benefit in this particular part of her practice.
Ms. Self provides defense representation to people who have been charged with state or federal offenses. The types of cases that she has handled in this regard have included driving under the influence, domestic violence, sex crimes, money laundering, assault and battery, drug possession and distribution, and juvenile crimes.
Since obtaining her Juris Doctor in 2004, Ms. Self has earned the respect of her colleagues for her dedication to her clients and high degree of ethics. The holder of a 10.0 "Superb" peer review rating through Avvo, she has also been named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 for several consecutive years. Admitted to practice before all Massachusetts state courts, Ms. Self is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Massachusetts Bar Association.
- 60%Immigration: Consumer
- 40%Criminal Defense
Criminal Law
Selections



Super Lawyers: 2019 - 2020 Rising Stars: 2009 - 2017
To: Rachel M. Self
Super Lawyers: Potential Client Inquiry
Additional Sources of Information About Rachel M. Self
About Rachel Self
Admitted: 2004, Massachusetts
Professional Webpage: https://attorneyself.com/profile/
Honors/Awards:
- AVVO Client's Choice Award, AVVO, 2013-2020.
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers, 2015
- Top Immigration Attorney, Boston Magazine and Superlawyers, 2009-2017
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers, 2013
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers, 2016
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers, 2012
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers, 2014
- Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyer, 2017
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- In this new world of a presidential administration that has redefined immigration policy, we need to be ever vigilant in how we zealously advocate for our clients. How has the new administration and its policies affected representation of immigrants and immigrants with criminal issues? Is it a crime in itself to be "illegal"?, Chair, Criimigration, MCLE, 2018
- MCLE’s intensive two-day Immigration Law: MCLE BasicsPlus!® seminar features lectures on immigration law and procedure—both from family and humanitarian-based, as well as employer-based immigration practice. Expert panelists provide an overview of laws, regulations, and agency policies, while providing tips and tricks to spot issues and assess the immigration options for your clients. This seminar covers the multifarious aspects of immigration law during an enforcement era and challenging environment. The two days provide you with an expansive analysis of the impact of changes to the administration and critical immigration issues you encounter during the course of your practice to develop your skills and help you successfully run a thriving immigration practice., Presenter, Immigration Court Procedure and Relief from Removal, MCLE , 2020
- Shifting sands—how to traverse the uncertain and ever-changing landscape of the immigration consequences of criminal activity, Chair, The Latest in Crimmigration, MCLE, 2019
- Chair, Crimmigration, MCLE, 2017
- How recent legal developments impact your practice Winning strategies in bond hearings Putting DHS to its burden & preserving issues for appeal Q &A, Panelist, Trends and Tactics in Removal Defense, AILA, 2019
- This seminar covers the multifarious aspects of immigration law during an enforcement era and challenging environment. The two days provide you with an expansive analysis of the impact of changes to the administration, critical immigration issues you encounter during the course of your practice, and special workshops to develop your skills and help you successfully run a thriving immigration practice., Immigration Court Procedure and Relief from Removal Presenter, MCLE Immigration Basics Plus, MCLE, 2018
- Chair, Crimmigration, MCLE, 2016
- Panelist, The Perfect Plea Bargain: What Defense Counsel Wants You to Know, AILA, 2017
- Panelist, Immigration Basics Plus, MCLE, 2016
- Lecturer - Advanced Topics in Litigation, AILA New England Immigration Law Conference, 2010
- From Cuffs to Court – What Happens when ICE Detains Your Client? – Presenter, AILA New England Chapter, 2011
- Advanced Immigration Litigation Practice, AILA New England Immigration Law Conference, 2011
- Immigration Consequences of Criminal Conduct, Judicial Conference, 2011
- Immigration Basics, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc, 2011
- Mexican Judiciary Exchange Program on Criminal Law, Judicial Conference, 2012
- Immigration and the Law, UMASS Dartmouth School of Law, 2012
- Criminal Law and Immigration Law Training, Massachusetts Bar Association Conference, 2012
- Panelist for Immigration Court Procedure and Relief from Removal, MCLE Immigration Basics, 2010
- Moderator - EOIR Advanced Practice Stragies, 8th Annual New England AILA Advanced Immigration Strategies Conference, 2011
- Guest Lecturer, Harvard University Introduction to the Law, 2013
- Panelist, MCLE Basics Plus in Immigration Law, MCLE, 2013
- Panelist, MCLE Zealous Advocacy in the District Courts, MCLE, 2014
- Panelist, MBA Pitfalls for the Unwary - How to get citizenship without getting deported, Massachusetts Bar Association, 2014
- Panelist, Criminal Defense and Immigration, MCLE, 2012
- Panelist, Preparing Successful Affirmative Asylum Applications, Massachusetts Bar Association, 2013
- Program Chair, Crimmgration 101, MCLE, 2014
- Panelist, Mock Trial: Current Issues Under Padilla v. Kentucky, Massachusetts Bar Association, 2014
- Panelist, MCLE Basics Plus Immigration Law, MCLE, 2014
- Chair, Crimmigration 101, MCLE, 2014
- Panelist, Categorial Approach - What Every Practitioner Needs to Know, AILA, 2015
- Panelist, Crimmigration 101, AILA, 2016
Verdicts/Settlements:
- Rachel won a motion to suppress in an OUI case. Case was dismissed., 2020
- Rachel got a OUI-second case dismissed with prejudice. Client was able to maintain his license to drive and case was closed., 2020
- Rachel won a very complex I-601 waiver case for a client allowing her to obtain her lawful permanent residence., 2020
- Rachel received Not Guilty verdict in sexual assault trial, 2018
- Rachel won an appeal of a denial of citizenship. The man is now a proud citizen of the USA., 2019
- Rachel won a New Trial for a client who was denied admission at the airport because of the underlying conviction. After the New Trial was granted the client was admitted to the United States and he was able to maintain his Lawful Permanent Residence status and was not placed into removal proceedings., 2019
- Rachel was able to vacate two criminal convictions for her client to make him cancellation eligible before the immigration court. She then won cancellation before the immigration judge and the client now has his Lawful Permanent Residence., 2018
- Rachel recently obtained a Not Guilty verdict in a sexual assault trial., 2014
- Rachel obtains approval in I-601A case for client. Lawful permanent residence granted., 2017
- Rachel obtained a Not Guilty in an Assult and Battery trial., 2012
- Rachel received a Not Guilty in an OUI second offense jury trial., 2015
- Rachel wins Motion for New Trial in Drug Possession case. Charges dismissed. Citizenship granted., 2016
- Rachel wins Motion for New Trial on DUI charges. Case dismissed. Lawful Permanent Residence Granted., 2017
- Rachel wins Motion for New Trial in Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon case. All charges against client dismissed. Citizenship granted., 2017
- Rachel obtained a Not Guilty in a Threats and Assault and Battery Trial., 2013
- Rachel obtained a Not Guilty in an Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon case., 2014
- Rachel wins Motion for New Trial in Drug Trafficking case. Charges dismissed., 2016
- Rachel wins Motion for New Trial in larceny case. Lawful permanent residence restored to client. Deportation proceedings terminated., 2016
- Rachel obtains favorable outcome for client charged with 2 counts of Rape. All Rape charges dismissed., 2017
- Rachel obtained a Not Guilty in a Assault and Battery and Assault and Battery of a Police officer trial., 2013
- Rachel obtained a Not Guilty in a Threats and Assault and Battery trial., 2012
- Rachel received a Not Guilty in a Reckless Driving trial., 2016
- Rachel obtains a Not Guilty jury verdict for client wrongfully accused of several counts sexual assault., 2016
- Rachel obtained a Nolle Prosequi in a drug trafficking case. All charges against the client dismissed., 2017
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Rachel received the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40., 2013
- Rachel received the Client's Choice Award for the second year in a row. She is rated a "10" Superb client rating by AVVO, a national lawyer listing service. To see Rachel's client reviews, click here: http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/02108-ma-rachel-self-1341417/reviews.html, 2014
- Rachel received the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40., 2015
- — Rachel received the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, 2017
- Rachel received the Client's Choice Award and a "10" Superb client rating by AVVO, a national lawyer listing service. To see Rachel's client reviews, click here: http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/02108-ma-rachel-self-1341417/reviews.html, 2013
- Rachel received the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers., 2014
- — Rachel received the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, 2016
- Rachel received the National Trial Lawyers top 40 under 40., 2012
- Rachel received the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40., 2014
- Rachel received the Client's Choice Award for the seventh year in a row. She is rated a "10" Superb client rating by AVVO, a national lawyer listing service. To see Rachel's client reviews, click here: http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/02108-ma-rachel-self-1341417/reviews.html, 2019
Videos:
- Rachel discusses President Trump's travel ban orders., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 1-29-2017, 2017
- Rachel discusses the murder of Rayshard Brooks., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 6-14-2020, 2020
- Rachel Self discusses the recent release of recordings by President Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 7-28-2018, 2018
- Rachel discusses the Mueller Report., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 3-23-2019, 2019
- Rachel discusses the redacted Mueller report., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 4-21-2019, 2019
- Rachel discusses the sentencing of Paul Manafort., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 3-10-2019, 2019
- Rachel discusses the Supreme Court's ruling regarding the asylum policy recently enacted by President Trump., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 9-15-2019, 2019
- Rachel discusses Michael Flynn's firing of his legal team and possible next steps., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 6-8-2019, 2019
- Rachel discusses the recent Supreme Court rulings regarding gerrymandering and the 2020 census., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 6-30-2019, 2019
- Rachel discusses Illinois charges for murder against 9 year-old child., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 10-12-2019, 2019
- Rachel discusses immigration and due process rights., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 4-28-2019, 2019
- Rachel discusses the next steps in the President Trump impeachment hearings., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 11-30-2019, 2019
- Rachel discusses legal liability for social media companies., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 2-23-2020, 2020
- Rachel discusses the DOJ's investigation into the mortgage industry., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 6-20-2010, 2010
- Rachel discusses Charlie Sheen's $100M lawsuit against Warner Brothers., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 3-12-2011, 2011
- Rachel discusses how to protect yourself if you have the winning lottery ticket., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 3-30-2012, 2012
- Rachel discusses the Supreme Court hearings scheduled on President Obama's health care law., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 3-25-2012, 2012
- Rachel recently appeared on CNN Newsroom to discuss the Boston Bombing case and the Utah Soccer Referee case., Rachel Self CNN 5-5-2013, 2013
- Rachel discusses the "hot sauce mom" case., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 2-5-2011, 2011
- Rachel discusses the Supreme Court's recent decision in Connick v. Thompson., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 4-2-2011, 2011
- Rachel discusses SSA benefits for children born after their father's death., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 5-27-2012, 2012
- Rachel discusses the latest testimony in the Jodi Arias case., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 1-10-2013, 2013
- Rachel discusses the Oscar Pistorius murder trial., Rachel discusses the Oscar Pistorius trial, 2014
- Rachel discusses the bizarre homicide of motivational speaker Jeffrey Locker and the assisted suicide defense., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 2-19-2011, 2011
- Rachel Discusses the SUV/NY Biker case, Rachel Self Fox News Channel 11-9-2013, 2013
- Rachel discusses a possible insanity defense for James Holmes. , Rachel Self Fox News Channel 7-29-2012, 2012
- Rachel discusses the Mayor Filner lawsuit., Rachel Self Fox News Channel 8-10-2013, 2013
- Rachel recently appeared on the Fox News Channel to discuss the Maine Ebola quarantine case., Rachel discusses the Maine Ebola quarantine case, 2014
Rachel M. Self:
Last Updated: 6/26/2020